Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence is a Thai government department responsible for overseeing the nation's armed forces and formulating national defence policy. It coordinates military operations, manages defence procurement, and ensures the readiness of the Royal Thai Army, Navy, and Air Force. The ministry also works on defence planning, intelligence integration, and liaison with international defence partners. Its core mandate is to safeguard Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity through organised military capabilities.

While the provided sources do not specify the ministry's size, budget, or personnel numbers, they confirm its involvement in a significant cyber incident. In December 2016, the ministry's website was targeted by a distributed denial‑of‑service attack carried out by hackers protesting a restrictive internet law. The attack disrupted online services and was accompanied by the leakage of stolen documents, highlighting the ministry's exposure to cyber threats despite officials downplaying the impact.

As a ministerial body within the Royal Thai Government, the ministry holds a regulatory and authoritative position over all defence‑related matters. It reports directly to the Prime Minister and operates under the broader framework of Thailand's public administration. This structural placement gives it authority to issue directives, allocate resources, and represent the country's defence interests in both domestic and international forums. The ministry's role is distinct from other government agencies due to its exclusive focus on military affairs and national security strategy.